As many as six centers could be taken in the first round of the NBA draft Thursday night, and the position is much more hyped than it has been in recent years.

Only two centers were taken in the first round of last year's draft, and though they can't be branded busts just yet, their rookie seasons were less than stellar. Second overall pick Hasheem Thabeet averaged just 3.1 points and 3.6 rebounds in 68 games for the Memphis Grizzlies and was briefly sent to the NBA Development League. Byron Mullens was drafted 24th overall by Oklahoma City and scored 14 points in just 13 games.

This year's class features several big men with tremendous upside. Leading the way is Kentucky's DeMarcus Cousins. In his freshman season, Cousins averaged 15.1 points and 9.8 rebounds in just 23.5 minutes per game. With the fifth pick, the Sacramento Kings have taken a strong interest in Cousins.

Earlier this week, rumors began to swirl that the Rockets might try to trade up to Minnesota's No. 4 pick, instead of picking 14th. On Tuesday, Minnesota Timberwolves president David Kahn said it is "highly unlikely" the team will deal the pick, meaning Cousins may go there.

"I believe I can be a franchise player," Cousins said.

After Cousins, Cole Aldrich of Kansas is another solid lottery pick. Aldrich averaged 11.3 points, 9.8 rebounds and 3.5 blocks for the Jayhawks in his junior season.

But the player with the biggest potential risk and reward is Marshall's Hassan Whiteside. In his freshman season, Whiteside averaged 13.1 points, 8.9 rebounds and an otherworldly 5.4 blocks per game. He had three Hakeem Olajuwon-esque triple-doubles by collecting double-digit points, rebounds and blocks.

Whiteside even trained with Olajuwon for a week.

"That's my mentor, and he really took me under his wing," Whiteside said. "I didn't have that many post moves in college, but now he taught me a whole different repertoire of moves."